Gad-Monfol-Ferro di Cavallo

Path no. 3 of the Gran Bosco Park begins in a pine forest upstream from the village of Gad, a hamlet of Oulx located at an altitude of 1,060 metres (parking is available near the "Casetta del Gad" restaurant or at the "Le Baite" shopping centre). Going straight up for about 500 metres, ignoring the forks, you reach a crossroads in the pine forest at an altitude of about 1,130 metres, where path no. 3 begins, signposted for San Domenico and Monfol. After crossing a small bridge over the Rio Gran Comba and shortly after a tiny stream, after a few hairpin bends you reach the small chapel of San Domenico at an altitude of 1,290 metres. The path continues up steep slopes, and after several hairpin bends, at an altitude of around 1,510 metres it crosses path no. 4, which comes from Gran Villar; continue on path no. 3 until Monfol at an altitude of 1,670 metres.

In this first part: difficulty E / approx. 2.300 km / difference in altitude + 530 / time h. 1.30 - altitude beginning at 1,130 m - altitude end at 1,666 m (starting from the centre of Gad you add a length of approx. 900 m and a positive difference in altitude of approx. 70 m)

From Monfol, take the mule track that starts on the west side (towards Sauze d'Oulx) at the edge of the village, near the chapel of San Bartolomeo at an altitude of 1,666 m; pass in front of a wooden fountain and after a steep climb, you will reach the junction on the right with path no. 1 towards Gran Villar, which you ignore, continuing straight uphill. Just above, the mule track forms a sharp bend to the left signposted fairly high up (be careful not to go straight on, the path gets lost); at the next fork, leave the mule track and take the path to the right, again signposted No. 3 towards Enfers and Ferro di Cavallo. After about 1.5 km from Monfol, at an altitude of 1,1920 m, the path crosses the road from Richardette and Enfers, and immediately begins to climb steeply again; at a clearing at about 2,050 m, the path bends to the left (be careful not to go straight on, the trail gets lost); continuing to climb, at about 2,170 m, you reach the "Ferro di Cavallo", a U-bend of the road towards Colle Blegier. From here, it is possible to eventually reach Lake Laune and the mountain pasture of the same name (there is a fountain), turning back briefly and walking downhill to the left along the Park path no. 4 indicated in the clearing just below the 'Ferro di Cavallo'.

In this second part: difficulty E / KM 2 approx. / height difference + 500 / TIME 1.30 - altitude beginning mt. 1,666 - altitude end mt. 2,170

Before starting out on any excursion, it is advisable to consult weather bulletins or ask the local tourist offices for information. It is good practice not to undertake a hike alone, always inform yourself of your destination.

Do not throw rubbish into the environment, but take it down to the valley, collecting any rubbish left by others.

The hiking times given are approximate and may vary depending on weather conditions and your own abilities.